Manila, Aug. 25 -- The Senate impeachment court may adjust how and when it holds hearings once the chamber's budget calendar is fixed, even as Presiding Officer Francis "Chiz" Escudero said Tuesday that the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is still expected to be completed before year-end.

The clarification came after Senator-judge Juan Miguel Zubiri asked the court for a broad timetable as the Senate prepares for lengthy deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget alongside regular legislative and committee work.

"I just want to know from the presiding officer, what is the plan? Are we going to take this all the way up to December?" Zubiri said, noting that senators and their staff would soon have to juggle impeachment hear...